The Hoyer Journey is a compact electric sit-to-stand lift designed for patients who can bear some weight and actively participate in transfers. It combines powered standing assistance, a folding design, Smart Monitor technology, an adjustable sling cradle, an adjustable kneepad, and a removable footrest for restorative standing activities.
The Journey is not a full-body passive lift. It is an active stand-aid, so the patient must have enough weight-bearing ability, trunk control, and understanding to participate safely.
Hoyer Journey Key Specifications
| Safe Working Load | 341 lb / 155 kg |
| Lift Type | Electric sit-to-stand / active lift |
| Maximum Overall Length | 39.4 in / 1000 mm |
| Minimum Overall Length | 36.8 in / 935 mm |
| Maximum Overall Height | 63 in / 1600 mm |
| Minimum Overall Height | 44.5 in / 1130 mm |
| Maximum Height to Attachment Point | 60.2 in / 1530 mm |
| Minimum Height to Attachment Point | 28.4 in / 720 mm |
| Turning Radius | 45.1 in / 1145 mm |
| Legs Open - External Width | 38.2 in / 970 mm |
| Legs Open - Internal Width | 34.5 in / 875 mm |
| Legs Closed - External Width | 27 in / 685 mm |
| Legs Closed - Internal Width | 22.2 in / 590 mm |
| Widest Point Between Support Handles | 26.8 in / 680 mm |
| Overall Leg Height | 4.3 in / 110 mm |
| Ground Clearance | 1.2 in / 30 mm |
| Front Twin Casters | 3 in / 75 mm |
| Rear Braked Casters | 4 in / 100 mm |
| Total Weight | 88.6 lb / 40.2 kg |
| Power Pack Weight | 6.2 lb / 2.8 kg |
| Foot Tray Weight | 9.9 lb / 4.5 kg |
Joerns notes that manufacturing tolerances apply to published dimensions.
What Type of Lift Is the Hoyer Journey?
The Journey is an active sit-to-stand lift.
It is intended for patients who can participate in standing rather than patients who require complete full-body lifting assistance.
The patient should have enough lower-extremity strength, trunk control, and ability to follow instructions to participate safely in the transfer.
Who Is the Journey Best For?
The Journey may be appropriate when the patient:
- Can bear some weight through the legs
- Can participate in standing
- Can maintain sufficient trunk control
- Can follow simple transfer instructions
- Needs assistance for toilet, chair, or bedside transfers
- May benefit from restorative standing or supervised stepping practice
Who Should Not Use the Journey?
The Journey is not a substitute for a passive full-body patient lift.
If the patient cannot safely bear weight, cannot participate in standing, or requires complete body support, a passive lift such as the Hoyer Advance-E 340 or Hoyer Presence Pro 500 may be more appropriate.
Compact Folding Design
One of the Journey's biggest advantages is its no-tools folding design.
Joerns designed the Journey so it can be folded for easier storage and transportation.
This makes it useful in homes and care environments where space is limited or where the lift may need to be transported between locations.
Will the Journey Fit Through a Doorway?
With the legs closed, the Journey is approximately 27 inches wide across the outside of the base.
This measurement is useful when checking doorway clearance, but actual usable space can be reduced by:
- Door trim
- Hinges
- Door swing
- Thresholds
- Caster orientation
- Nearby furniture
Measure the narrowest actual opening before ordering.
How Wide Is the Journey With the Legs Open?
Joerns lists the Journey at approximately 38.2 inches external width with the legs fully open and 34.5 inches internal width.
This helps the lift position around chairs, wheelchairs, and toilet areas while maintaining a compact overall footprint.
Turning Radius
The Journey has a published turning radius of approximately 45.1 inches.
This relatively compact turning radius is one reason Joerns positions the Journey as suitable for confined spaces.
Still, a lift may fit through a doorway but require additional room to turn and position correctly around the patient.
Adjustable Sling Attachment Cradle
The Journey uses a unique adjustable sling attachment cradle.
Joerns designed the cradle to accommodate a wide range of patient heights and sizes.
This adjustability helps one Journey lift work for multiple patients with different body dimensions when the correct sling and settings are used.
Attachment Height Range
Joerns lists the Journey's sling attachment height range at approximately:
- 28.4 inches minimum
- 60.2 inches maximum
The attachment range helps the Journey accommodate patients seated on lower and higher surfaces.
Adjustable Kneepad
The Journey includes a contoured, height-adjustable kneepad.
Joerns designed the kneepad to accommodate a broad range of patient sizes while providing support during the sit-to-stand movement.
The kneepad should be adjusted to the individual patient before the transfer begins.
Removable Footrest
The Journey includes a removable footrest.
For standard transfers, the footrest provides a stable surface for the patient's feet.
When appropriate and under close supervision, removing the footrest allows the Journey to be used for restorative standing and short stepping activities.
Restorative Standing
Joerns specifically highlights the removable footrest as a restorative-care feature.
With the footrest removed, an appropriate patient may be able to fully stand and take supervised steps while supported by the Journey.
Restorative activities should only be performed when they are appropriate for the patient's mobility level and care plan.
Smart Monitor Technology
The Journey includes Hoyer Smart Monitor technology.
Smart Monitor functions include:
- Lift cycle counter
- Overload protection
- Service reminders
- Emergency-related functions
These features help caregivers and service teams track usage and preventive-maintenance needs.
341 lb Safe Working Load
Joerns currently lists the Journey at a 341 lb / 155 kg safe working load on the live product page and user manual.
Some current Joerns brochures round this to 340 lb.
The model is commonly marketed as the Journey 340, but the manufacturer manual states 341 lb / 155 kg.
Never exceed the safe working load of the lift, sling, or any other component in the transfer system.
Journey Sling Compatibility
The Journey uses specialized sit-to-stand slings rather than standard full-body passive-lift slings.
Sling selection should consider:
- Patient weight
- Patient height
- Weight-bearing ability
- Trunk control
- Transfer type
- Required level of support
- Sling size
- Safe working load
Do not assume that a full-body sling used with the Advance, Presence, HPL450, or another passive Hoyer lift will work with the Journey.
Use our Hoyer Sling Compatibility Chart before ordering.
Journey vs Hoyer Elevate
The Hoyer Elevate is another powered sit-to-stand lift.
The Journey emphasizes compact size, folding storage, and portability.
The Elevate is the higher-capacity, more professionally oriented stand-aid.
Journey vs Hoyer Up
The Hoyer Up is a fully manual active stand-aid.
Choose the Journey when powered lifting assistance is preferred.
The Up may be considered when a simpler manual device is appropriate for a patient who can actively pull to stand.
Journey vs Advance-E 340
The Journey and Advance-E are both compact Hoyer lifts, but they serve very different patients.
The Journey is an active sit-to-stand lift for patients who can bear some weight and participate.
The Advance-E 340 is a passive full-body lift for patients who require complete lifting assistance.
Patient mobility and weight-bearing ability should determine which type of lift is appropriate.
Journey vs Presence Pro 500
The Presence Pro 500 is a full-body passive lift with a 500 lb safe working load.
Choose the Journey when the patient can actively participate in standing.
Consider the Presence when the patient requires full-body passive support and cannot safely perform a sit-to-stand transfer.
Measure Before You Order
Before ordering the Journey, measure:
- The narrowest doorway along the travel path
- Hallway width
- Turning space
- Clearance around the chair or wheelchair
- Available bathroom or toileting space
- Storage space when the Journey is folded
Also consider the patient's seated height, lower-leg position, and ability to use the kneepad and sling system correctly.
Need Help Confirming Whether the Journey Is Appropriate?
Call 877-33-HOYER or email support@myhoyerlift.com with the patient's height, weight, mobility level, weight-bearing ability, and primary transfer needs. We can help you compare sling options, dimensions, and Joerns manufacturer resources for the Hoyer Journey.
